By Daily Press staff
A group of Main Street merchants has banded together to form a free book exchange.
The Main Street Book Exchange is billed as an unregulated library where people can exchange books at participating merchants.
People are encouraged to bring back the books they take, though they don’t have to, according to a press release from the Main Street Merchants Association. In addition, people don’t have to contribute a book to take a book.
The effort was the idea of former MSMA board member John Gabree, who used to own L.A. (The Bookstore). It began recently at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, 2901 Main St., and the Library Alehouse, 2911 Main, but will be expanded to include several nearby businesses.
Other locations participating will include Napoleon’s Cafe and Bakery, 2301 Main, Mani’s Bakery, 2507 Main, and Peet’s Coffee and Tea, 2439 Main. MSMA plans to also create a book club with readings and discussions in conjunction with the book exchange.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on March 27, 2003. Read the original PDF.